Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways has released its traffic figures for September showing a continued narrowing in the gap between the numbers of passengers carried compared to the same month a year ago.

In September 2003 Cathay Pacific carried over 951,000 passengers, down 3.2 percent year-on-year, representing a pick up from August's 5.3 percent shortfall.

September's passenger total dipped below the 1 million carried in August 2003 as the peak summer travel season drew to a close. The passenger load factor increased 4.4 percentage points up from September last year, a reflection of a similar 4.3 percent reduction in available seat capacity.

The airline carried over 75,000 tones of freight in September, virtually unchanged year-on-year, though up from 70,000 tones in August 2003 as orders picked up after the summer break. The cargo load factor was 67.7 percent, down 3.3 year-on-year, the airways said.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Cargo Kenny Tang said business in September saw its usual seasonal upswing as it recovered from the summer lull.

"Overall, we remain well positioned to maintain steady growth in the lead-up to a traditionally busier part of the year," said Tang.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2003)